East Lancs spa makes a £1m splash in first year

AN East Lancashire spa has notched up sales of more than £1million in its first year of operating.

Year-end figures have been revealed by bosses at Crow Wood Leisure which demonstrate a hugely successful period for the Burnley-bases business.

The firm has seen sales increase by 47 per cent up to its year-end in April, following last year’s launch of the £4.5million Woodland Spa, which won UK Day Spa of the Year at this year’s prestigious Professional Beauty Awards.

The business expects this year’s sales of £4.5million to increase to more than £5million in 2014/15.

The Woodland Spa has proved to be a major draw, since redevelopment, which includes one of Europe’s largest hydro therapy pools, a serenity pool and a heated outdoor pool and hot tubs.

Crow Wood’s performance represents a huge endorsement of the firm’s vision, as the impact of start-up costs relating to the new spa and Bertram’s restaurant saw the group post a loss of £27,000 in 2012/13. This has been converted to a net profit in 2013/14 in excess of £300,000, with EBITDA estimated at £850,000.

Amongst the highlights of Crow Wood’s performance have been the food and beverage operation, which has grown by 158 per cent and is still growing. The site’s two restaurants and four bars are serving over 7,500 covers per month.

Andrew Brown, managing director of Crow Wood Leisure, said: “It gives us a great deal of pride to be one of Burnley’s success stories and to contribute to the town’s economy. We offer affordable quality in a stunning setting.”